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Iranian with ‘direct ties to IRGC’ tried to enter US posing as World Cup soccer team president: DHS

Iranian tied to paramilitary tried to enter US posing as World Cup soccer team president: DHS Email New York Post Read the Latest on Page Six

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Iranian with ‘direct ties to IRGC’ tried to enter US posing as World Cup soccer team president: DHS

By Chris Nesi Published June 22, 2026, 7:57 a.m. ET

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A man connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was prevented from entering the US with the Islamic Republic’s national soccer team, according to Department of Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin.

The unidentified man was posing as the president of Iran’s soccer federation when he was stopped as the team was gearing up to fly from Tijuana, Mexico, for its World Cup game against Belgium at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, Mullin told Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”

“When we started doing the research on him, he had only been put in place since 2022, and we didn’t allow him to board the plane,’ Mullin said, adding that the man who attempted to board the plane had “direct ties to IRGC.”

Players of Iran pose for photos before a group G match against Belgium at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles. 3
A man with “direct ties” to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) posing as the president of the Islamic Republic’s national soccer team was stopped from entering the US with the team Saturday. Xinhua/Shutterstock
Iran fans celebrating with flags after a match. 3
Iranian soccer officials have complained that restrictions have made traveling in and out of the US for the World Cup difficult. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

IRGC is a multi-branch paramilitary force that reports directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran. It’s been designated a terrorist organization by more than a dozen countries, including the US and the European Union.

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The incident is the latest in the ongoing tug-of-war between Iranian soccer officials who have sought more freedom to travel within the US during the World Cup and DHS, which has erred on the side of caution amid the ongoing hostilities between the countries.

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